Check-list for employee onboarding is a list of specific tasks and activities that need to be completed during the first days of a new employee – from day one up to about 2 weeks, or the first 3 months. It helps ensure that nothing important is forgotten. It helps make sure the new team member receives everything needed – from work equipment to training – and that their onboarding goes smoothly.
Simple and Clear Explanation of the Onboarding Checklist
- An onboarding checklist is a list of tasks and activities that need to be completed during a new employee’s first days—typically from day one up to two weeks, or sometimes the first three months. It helps make sure nothing important is overlooked.
New Hire Onboarding Checklist (Template)
Pre-Start Activities (Offer Acceptance to Day 1)
- Confirm start date, location (onsite/remote/hybrid), and working hours
- Send welcome/onboarding email: what to bring, where to go, when to arrive, point of contact, dress code
- Prepare agreements and documents (offer letter, NDA, handbook/policies, confidentiality/GDPR, W‑4/I‑9 if applicable)
- Add to payroll and benefits systems
- Provide org info: org chart, team overview, who’s who
- Schedule required training: safety/OSHA, compliance, privacy, code of conduct
- Arrange building access / badge / keys (if applicable)
- Laptop/phone + charger, headset, dock, monitor
- Create email and accounts (SSO, Google Workspace/Microsoft 365, Slack/Teams, VPN…)
- Set roles and permissions based on position
- Prepare security onboarding (2FA/MFA, password manager)
- Add to internal groups (mailing lists, channels)
- Prepare agenda for the first 5 workdays
- Set expectations and goals for 30/60/90 days
- Assign a buddy/mentor and schedule regular check-ins
- Plan 1:1s (first week, then weekly cadence)
- Prepare a first task (small, meaningful, achievable)
First Day (Day 1)
- Welcome and orientation; company overview and culture
- Office tour (or remote setup walkthrough)
- Introductions to the team and buddy
- Basic policies: safety, time & attendance, communication
- Issue equipment and access + sign equipment receipt
- Set up email and core tools
- Set passwords and verify access (MFA, password manager, VPN)
- Role overview: expectations and priorities
- First mini-task (e.g., profile setup, mandatory training, first ticket)
- End-of-day check-out (what worked / what’s missing)
First Week
- Overview of key processes (how work gets done, escalation paths)
- Intro to projects / customers / internal initiatives
- Access to documentation + guidance on where to find information
- Key contacts list: IT, HR, Finance, Facilities, Security
- Job-specific training (tools, workflows, standards)
- Culture norms: communication, meetings, expectations
- First team meeting / standup / onboarding session
- Manager: weekly 1:1s + confirm goals and priorities, set 30‑day milestones, assign first real deliverable
30-60-90 Days
- At the end of each period (30/60/90): performance check-in—what’s working, blockers, needed support
- Verify completion of training and compliance checklist
- Onboarding feedback (short survey + quick conversation)
- Increase responsibility / assign ownership of a small area
- Set performance expectations and a simple development plan
- Define goals for the next quarter
How it works in Aptien: Creating an Employee Onboarding Checklist
- In Aptien, you can build a custom onboarding checklist for new hires, and
- When a new employee starts, you can schedule each task, assign it to team members, and track progress.